Flute

ABSTRACT

A flute of improved construction which offers a full sound rich in harmonic content throughout the playing range, and which can be readily assembled and disassembled. The flute employs a turbulator in operative arrangement with respect to the embouchure hole to provide more turbulent flow to enhance the harmonic content and thus the tone quality of the emitted sound. The bore is of non-uniform configuration to further enhance tone quality. The flute can be formed in sections which are secured in assembled form by a tensioned cord interconnecting the several sections, and which when released permits disassembly of the instrument for ease of transportation and cleaning.

United States Patent Young 1 51- Aug. 22, 1972 [54] FLUTE [21] Appl. No.: 159,719

[52] US. Cl ..84/384 [51] Int. Cl. ..GlOd 7/02 [58] Field of Search ..84/330, 380, 384

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,376,004 4/1921 Christensen ..84/384 2,697,298 12/1954 Bacon ..84/384 X 3,438,298 4/ 1969 Thompson ..84/ 384 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 923,358 7/1947 France ..84/384 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Benade, A. H., On Woodwind Instrument Bores, Joumalof the Acoustical Society of America, Vol. 31, No. 2, Feb. 1959. PP 137- 146.

Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney-Weingarten, Maxham & Schurgin I 5 7 I ABSTRACT A flute of improved construction which offers a full sound rich in harmonic content throughout the playing range, and which can be readily assembled and disassembled. The flute employs a turbulator in operative arrangement with respect to the embouchure hole to provide more turbulent flow to enhance the harmonic content and thus the tone quality of the emitted sound. The bore is of non-uniform configuration to further enhance tone quality. The flute can be formed in sections which are secured in assembled form by a tensioned cord interconnecting the several sections, and which when released permits disassembly of the instrument for ease of transportation and cleaning.

11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEflAuszz I972 SHEET 1 BF 2 N/ELS O. YOUNG ATTORNEYS PATENTEmuszz 11m 3.685.388

sum 2 111 2 l I 0265,4950 I i g 0.540 1 l m 1 0.265, 5.660

P... Lu 3 0.520 0221,6695 5 i 11.1 1 J g g I 0.250, 7695 I 0.261, 6.660

g 1 0261,9795 1 I 1 i 0.480 1 l 1 FINIAL LENGTH (11101159) 1 END END INVESTOR 5 j NIELS' 0. YOUNG HOLE BY WM, M 4 *M ATTORNEYS FLUTE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to musical instruments and more particularly to an improved flute having a full and even tone quality and capable of easy assembly and disassembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The flute has been known for centuries, and in its classical form generally comprises an elongated tube of generally cylindrical configuration having an embouchure hole in the head joint thereof and six tone holes arranged for respective closure by the fingers of a player. Such a flute has generally suffered the deficiency of a rather thin and breathy sound which is low in harmonic content and which for many musical purposes is found to be wanting in quality and character. Such flutes are generally constructed in several sections, usually three, which are interconnected by means of slip joints. During assembly of the instrument, the several sections are joined together by means of the slip fittings and must be rotationally aligned to orient the embouchure and tone holes in proper playing position and axially adjusted to tune the instrument pitch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, an improved flute is provided having a rich tone quality high in harmonic content and of a uniform quality throughout the playing range. In brief, the invention provides a turbulation means within the head joint and in operative relation to the embouchure hole to provide a more turbulent air stream through the instrument bore resulting in a higher harmonic content and correspondingly fuller timbre or tone quality. The instru ment bore is also of nonlinear taper along the length of the flute which aids in overall tone quality and uniformity. As a further feature of the invention, the novel flute can be constructed of multiple sections which are butt jointed together by means of a tensioned filament or cord. When assembled, the tensioned cord provides automatic alignment of the several instrument sections and, when disassembled, serves to capture the sections for ease of carriage without danger of loss or misplacement of the instrument sections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a flute embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a flute embodying the invention and illustrated in its disassembled form;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the invention illustrating the manner of assembly;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial view, partly in section, of the head joint of a flute according to the invention illustrating a turbulator;

FIG. 5 is a plot of bore diameter as a function of instrument length for a flute according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cutaway sectional elevation view of an alternative butt joint construction according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a spacer useful in the invention;

FIG. 8 is a pictorial view of an alternative turbulator construction; and

FIG. 9 is a cutaway sectional view of the turbulator of FIG. 8 installed in a concert flute.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A flute according to the invention is depicted in FIG. 1 and includes a head joint 10 having a finial 12 secured to one end thereof to seal the instrument bore and coupled at its opposite end to a section 14 which, in turn, is coupled to a third section 115. A continuous bore 16 is formed throughout the length of the assembled sections and a generally rectangular embouchure hole 18 is formed in the head joint, as illustrated, and communicative with bore 16. A plurality of tone holes 20 are also communicative with bore 16, three tone holes being provided as shown in each section 14 and 15. As is well known, the tone holes are spaced along bore 16 to provide a diatonic scale. As will be further described hereinbelow, a turbulator 22 is disposed within bore 16 adjacent embouchure hole 18 and is operative to provide more turbulent air flow throughout the instrument bore to enhance the tone quality of the instrument. The taper of bore 16 along the instrument length is also of a configuration to enhance the tonal quality of the flute, as is the particular configuration of the tone holes 20, as will be fully described hereinbelow.

The sections 10, I4 and 15 are coupled together by means of butt joints 24 and 26, while head joint 10 is also butt jointed with finial 12. A cord 28 is threaded through the enlarged end portions of sections l0, l4 and 15 and through finial 12 to maintain the instrument sections in secure interrelationship when assembled. The cord 28, typically of Nylon, is knotted or otherwise terminated at its ends 30 at section 15, the cord being of a length to provide a tensioned coupling force to the instrument sections when the finial 12 is snapped into place over the end of head joint 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the cord passes through the bearing surface 32 of each butt joint or respective flute sections, and in the disassembled form, with finial 12 removed from the head joint, cord 28 loosely interconnects the flute sections to prevent their loss and to provide essentially a folded instrument construction which can be readily transported in a players pocket or in a small case or pouch.

In order to assemble the instrument, the sections 10, 14 and 15 are axially aligned, as illustrated in FIG. 3, with the finial 12 snapped into position at the end of head joint 10 to pull the cord 28 into tension and secure the instrument sections in positive playing arrangement. It will be appreciated that the rotational alignment of sections I0, 14 and 15 is automatically provided in the assembled state by virtue of cord 28 passing through the confronting surfaces 32 of respective butt joints. In the assembled state, the cord 28 passing through the butt joints 24 and 26 serves as an alignment element to prevent material rotational movement of the instrument sections with respect to each other. As a further feature of the unique assembly and disassembly arrangement provided by the invention, the instrument sections 10, 14 and 15 are each open at both ends when disassembled to provide for thorough cleaning by passage of a swab therethrough.

as shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the head joint includes a turbulator 22 within the bore 16 and in operative relation to the embouchure hole 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the turbulator 22 includes first and second tines 34 and 36 integrally formed with a generally circular retaining ring 38 which is secured within a circumferential groove 40 provided near the end of section 10 adjacent the embouchure hole 18. The tines 34 and 36 are each arranged in parallel relationship to the other and are of a length to extend substantially across the full length of embouchure hole 18 or slightly beyond. Each tine 34 and 36 is symmetrically disposed with respect to the embouchure hole, each being slightly inward of the respective side of hole 18. the exact placement of the turbulator with respect to the embouchure hole is determined in accordance with the particular playing qualities of the instrument desired. In general, the turbulator is disposed within the path of air flow into the embouchure hole 18 to obstruct the flow and achieve a more turbulent stream of air along the bore 16. The more turbulent air flow provided by use of turbulator 22 provides an instrument sound of higher harmonic content and of consequently improved tone quality and richness.

The turbulator can also be employed with a concert or Boehm flute to enhance the tonal qualities thereof, and can take a variety of forms. As an alternative to the pair of tines described above, a single tine generally bisecting the embouchure hole and extending at approximately right angles to the air stream also provides enrichment of the harmonic content. The turbulator can also be disposed on the outside of the embouchure hole, but is preferably disposed within the head joint to eliminate interference with the lips of a player.

An alternative turbulator structure useful in the invention and especially suitable for use in a concert flute is shown in FIG. 8. A generally rectangular ribbon 60, typically spring metal, has a wire 62 welded, soldered or otherwise affixed to a narrow end thereof, as shown, with the wire being upstanding from the plane of ribbon 60. The ribbon 60 is inserted within the head joint of a flute, with the longer portion 64 of wire 62 positioned across the embouchure hole. Referring to FIG. 9, the ribbon 64 is depicted within the head joint 66 of a concert or Boehm flute and conforming to the bore thereof, with wire portion 64 extending across embouchure hole 68 formed in lip pad 70. The exact dimensions of this turbulator are determined in accordance with the instrument dimensions with which it is employed. The turbulator can be positioned within the head joint by a suitable insertion tool and no modification of the flute itself is required.

The harmonic content of the instrument sound is also enhanced by the nonlinear bore configuration depicted in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the bore enlarges from the finial surface 13 to the end of head joint 10 and then nonlinearly decreases along the length of sections 14 and terminating in a cylindrical configuration near the end of section 15. The dimensions depicted in FIG. 5 are for a C flute constructed according to the invention. The joints between sections are illustrated at points J, while the dimensions adjacent the curve indicate in the order named the diameter of the tone holes 20 and the distance of the center of the tone holes from the center of the embouchure hole. It will be appreciated that a similar bore contour can be employed for flutes of other sizes to accommodate different tonal registers.

The butt joints provided between adjacent sections 10, 14 and 15 provide an accurately fitting and substantially nonleaking joint. By their nature butt joints tend to wear in such that a better seal is provided as the instrument matures. An alternative butt joint configuration is illustrated in FIG. 6 wherein is shown an altemative construction of joint 26 between adjacent sections 14 and 15. A cylindrical extension 42 is provided from the bearing surface of section 14 and mates with a cooperative recess 44 provided in the confronting end of section 15. An O-ring 46 formed of a suitable resilient material such as rubber is provided around the projection 42 in a groove provided for the purpose. When the sections 14 and 15 are interconnected, the projection 42 is inserted within the associated recess 44 to provide an effectively continuous bore 16 through the mated sections. The O-ring 46 is compressed against the confronting surface of section 15 to aid in the sealing engagement of the interconnected sections.

Although the instrument can be fabricated with sufficient accuracy to retain a correct pitch for many purposes, it is often desirable to adjust the pitch of the instrument especially when employed for ensemble playing. The effective length of the bore 16 can be altered by use of the spacer illustrated in FIG. 7 which can be inserted between adjacent sections of the flute. The spacer 48 includes a cylindrical opening 50 therein which conforms to the diameter of the bore 16 at the joint with which the spacer is employed. A pair of diametrically opposed slots 52 are provided in the periphery of spacer 48 to accommodate passage of cord 28, the cord also serving to retain the spacer in its mounting position. Spacers of different thicknesses can be provided to adjust the pitch of the instrument, which can be made with a normally sharp pitch that can be selectively lowered by insertion of the appropriate spacer.

As a further feature of the invention, the tone holes 20 are configured to maintain uniformity of tone quality over the playing range of the instrument by minimizing discontinuities in the acoustical impedance of the bore 16 presented by the tone hole openings. As shown most clearly in FIG. 6, arcuate recesses 54 are provided in the region surrounding the tone holes to serve as finger pad areas for achieving substantially complete tone hole closure, and to reduce the wall thickness of the flute sections in which the tone holes 20 are formed. The recesses also serve to guide the fingers of a player into position over the tone holes for proper closure. Each tone hole has a cross sectional configuration 56 which is smoothly rounded, as shown in FIG. 6, to provide a smooth and continuous transition from the bore 16 into the tone hole region. This is in contrast to conventional flute construction wherein the tone hole is usually a cylindrical opening drilled through the wall of the flute section and having a rather tall column which orthogonally extends from the instrument bore and which provides considerable acoustic impedance. Impedance mismatch is minimized, according to the invention, by minimizing the discontinuity in the bore provided by the tone hole openings. The placement of a finger on the area 54 covering the tone hole also serves to minimize the discontinuity since the finger pad tends to extend within the narrow wall of the opening to further reduce the bore discontinuity.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it will be appreciated that implementation of the invention can be accomplished in different ways without departing from the spirit and true scope of the invention. For example, the flute can be constructed as a unitary member where sectional construction is not desired. Moreover, the cord assembly technique can be employed with flutes other than those shown. Accordingly, it is not intended to limit the invention by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A flute comprising:

an elongated effectively continuous tubular means having a bore of predetermined configuration formed therein and extending throughout the length of said means;

means for sealing one end of said bore;

an embouchure hole provided in the end of said means adjacent said sealing means;

a plurality of tone holes provided at selected positions along the length of said tubular means to permit playing of a diatonic scale; and

turbulator means disposed in operative relation to said embouchure hole for providing enhanced turbulence of an air stream introduced into said embouchure hole to provide a rich sound of improved harmonic content.

2. A flute according to claim 1 wherein:

said plurality of tone holes each has a recessed finger pad area in surrounding relation therearound to reduce the wall thickness of said tubular means and to provide substantially complete finger closure of said tone hole, and a smoothly rounded cross-sectional configuration to provide a smooth and continuous transition from the bore of said tubular means into said tone hole.

3. A flute according to claim 1 wherein said tubular means is of sectional construction including:

a plurality of sections each butt jointed to an adjacent section;

said embouchure hole being formed in one of said sections, said tone holes being formed in at least another one of said sections;

said sealing means being butt jointed to a section having said embouchure hole therein.

4. A flute according to claim 3 including:

a cord interconnecting each of said sections and said sealing means and operative in a disassembled state to loosely interconnect said sealing means and said sections to provide tensioned interconnection thereof.

5. A flute according to claim 3 wherein the confronting ends of adjacent ones of said sections include a mating cylindrical projection on one adjacent section,'a cooperative recess on the other adjacent section, and an O-ring seal around said projection to provide a substantially non leaking butt joint having an effectively continuous bore through said tubular means.

6. Aflute acco di to cl im3' l d' spacer means havi g an openir ig i he i' through conforming to the bore of said tubular means and adapted for disposition between the butt joint of adjacent one of said sections to effectively lengthen said tubular means to alter the pitch of said flute 7. A flute according to claim 3 wherein the bore through said section having said embouchure hole is of nonlinearly increasing diameter along the length thereof, and wherein the bore throughout at least a major portion .of the length of said at least another one of said sections is of nonlinearly decreasing diameter.

8. A flute according to claim 3 wherein the bore through said section having said embouchure hole is of nonlinearly increasing diameter along the length thereof, and wherein the bore throughout the length of said at least another one of said sections is of nonlinearly decreasing diameter along the length thereof, terminating in a cylindrical portion near the open end thereof.

9. A flute according to claim 1 wherein said bore is of nonlinear configuration and having a portion of increasing diameter from said sealing means along a predetermined length of said bore and a contiguous portion of decreasing diameter along the subsequent length thereof.

10. A flute comprising:

a plurality of tubular sections each having a bore of predetermined configuration formed therein and extending throughout the length thereof and adapted to be axially aligned to form an effectively continuous bore;

a finial adapted for sealing one end of said bore;

an embouchure hole provided in the end of said section adjacent said finial;

a plurality of tone holes provided at selected positions along said effectively continuous bore, said tone holes being formed in at least another one of said sections; and

a cord interconnecting said sections and said finial and operative upon axial alignment of said sections and placement of said finial in sealing engagement with one end of said bore to maintain tensioned assembly of said sections and operative upon removal of said finial from said bore to loosely interconnect said finial and said sections.

11. A flute according to claim 10 wherein the bore through said section having said embouchure hole is of nonlinearly increasing diameter along the length thereof, and wherein the bore throughout at least a major portion of the length of said at least another one of said sections is of nonlinearly decreasing diameter. 

1. A flute comprising: an elongated effectively continuous tubular means having a bore of predetermined configuration formed therein and extending throughout the length of said means; means for sealing one end of said bore; an embouchure hole provided in the end of said means adjacent said sealing means; a plurality of tone holes provided at selected positions along the length of said tubular means to permit playing of a diatonic scale; and turbulator means disposed in operative relation to said embouchure hole for providing enhanced turbulence of an air stream introduced into said embouchure hole to prOvide a rich sound of improved harmonic content.
 2. A flute according to claim 1 wherein: said plurality of tone holes each has a recessed finger pad area in surrounding relation therearound to reduce the wall thickness of said tubular means and to provide substantially complete finger closure of said tone hole, and a smoothly rounded cross-sectional configuration to provide a smooth and continuous transition from the bore of said tubular means into said tone hole.
 3. A flute according to claim 1 wherein said tubular means is of sectional construction including: a plurality of sections each butt jointed to an adjacent section; said embouchure hole being formed in one of said sections, said tone holes being formed in at least another one of said sections; said sealing means being butt jointed to a section having said embouchure hole therein.
 4. A flute according to claim 3 including: a cord interconnecting each of said sections and said sealing means and operative in a disassembled state to loosely interconnect said sealing means and said sections to provide tensioned interconnection thereof.
 5. A flute according to claim 3 wherein the confronting ends of adjacent ones of said sections include a mating cylindrical projection on one adjacent section, a cooperative recess on the other adjacent section, and an O-ring seal around said projection to provide a substantially non leaking butt joint having an effectively continuous bore through said tubular means.
 6. A flute according to claim 3 including: spacer means having an opening therethrough conforming to the bore of said tubular means and adapted for disposition between the butt joint of adjacent ones of said sections to effectively lengthen said tubular means to alter the pitch of said flute.
 7. A flute according to claim 3 wherein the bore through said section having said embouchure hole is of nonlinearly increasing diameter along the length thereof, and wherein the bore throughout at least a major portion of the length of said at least another one of said sections is of nonlinearly decreasing diameter.
 8. A flute according to claim 3 wherein the bore through said section having said embouchure hole is of nonlinearly increasing diameter along the length thereof, and wherein the bore throughout the length of said at least another one of said sections is of nonlinearly decreasing diameter along the length thereof, terminating in a cylindrical portion near the open end thereof.
 9. A flute according to claim 1 wherein said bore is of nonlinear configuration and having a portion of increasing diameter from said sealing means along a predetermined length of said bore and a contiguous portion of decreasing diameter along the subsequent length thereof.
 10. A flute comprising: a plurality of tubular sections each having a bore of predetermined configuration formed therein and extending throughout the length thereof and adapted to be axially aligned to form an effectively continuous bore; a finial adapted for sealing one end of said bore; an embouchure hole provided in the end of said section adjacent said finial; a plurality of tone holes provided at selected positions along said effectively continuous bore, said tone holes being formed in at least another one of said sections; and a cord interconnecting said sections and said finial and operative upon axial alignment of said sections and placement of said finial in sealing engagement with one end of said bore to maintain tensioned assembly of said sections and operative upon removal of said finial from said bore to loosely interconnect said finial and said sections.
 11. A flute according to claim 10 wherein the bore through said section having said embouchure hole is of nonlinearly increasing diameter along the length thereof, and wherein the bore throughout at least a major portion of the length of said at least another one of said sections is of nonlinearly decreasing diameter. 